SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 37

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 28, 2022 11:00AM
  • Feb/28/22 2:39:16 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, cyber-attacks are part of Russia's strategy. It is essential that we strengthen our cybersecurity and protect our critical infrastructure. The Communications Security Establishment has the tools it needs to protect Canada and Canadians. I meet regularly with the chief of CSE. We are here to protect cybersecurity for Canadians.
53 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:39:52 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we wish to reiterate our steadfast support for the Ukrainians who are fighting to defend their country, their cities and towns, their homes and, most of all, the people they love. Today, Canada and its allies must send a historic and unequivocal message to Russia, to Vladimir Putin and to all current and future leaders. Anyone who starts a war must pay a very heavy price. Aggressors must be isolated. Will the minister work with her partners to exclude Russia from the G20, among other things?
88 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:40:33 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada and our allies have responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with tough, coordinated economic sanctions. Our goal is to exert maximum pressure on Putin's regime in response to his blatant defiance of international law. The help we announced yesterday is one important contribution, and we will be sending more. All options are on the table, and we will respond firmly to the escalating crisis caused by Russia.
72 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:41:11 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the message sent by NATO countries must be historic and unequivocal. I will say it again: The price for starting a war must be as high as possible, and the aggressors must be isolated. All aggressors must be targeted. Belarus has disgraced itself once again by allowing Russia to use its territory to launch its invasion of Ukraine. Minsk is reportedly even about to send in its own troops. Will the minister take steps to convince her partners to apply each of the sanctions imposed so far on Russia on Belarus as well?
95 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:41:47 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with our partners. We will continue to impose sanctions. We have already trained more than 33,000 Ukrainian soldiers. We have provided significant financial assistance. We have sent lethal and non-lethal aid, and we are strengthening our work in NATO in the west.
50 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:42:28 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the primary victims of war are always the citizens, and this holds true again in this case. Half a million Ukrainians have already had to leave their country, leaving behind not only their loved ones, but their entire lives. As parliamentarians, we have a historic duty to help them. The government recently announced that it would match every donation Canadians make to the Red Cross, but only up to $10 million. I think we can all agree that this cap is inappropriate. Will the government remove the cap and commit to doing everything it can to help Ukrainians who are in forced exile?
106 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:43:07 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the Canadians who made generous donations to the Red Cross to support the Ukrainian people. We will do more. We are monitoring the situation very closely, getting an understanding of what is needed and then providing appropriate support. This will be in addition to the $50 million for humanitarian and development support that we have already provided.
64 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:43:28 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada sends half a billion dollars per year to Russia to import its oil. The government has clearly chosen against building Canadian pipelines. The result was a decision by the Liberal government to instead fund the oppressive regime in Russia. The government boasts about giving $120 million to Ukraine and then sends half a billion dollars per year to Russia to fund Putin's war machine. Does the government now realize that its choice to kill Canadian energy projects has funded Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
88 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:44:08 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, the current situation in Ukraine underscores the importance of energy security, both in Canada and for our allies in Europe. We are working actively with our allies on both short-term and longer-term energy supply options with respect to ensuring that energy security is top of mind in Europe and is ongoing. I will correct my hon. colleague, as 2019 was the last year when crude oil was imported into Canada. His figures are actually incorrect.
83 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:44:40 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadian oil is the most environmentally sustainable on the planet. Refineries in my riding are part of the energy economy that is a fifth of our GDP. Why does Liberal ideology always want to shut down Canadian oil in favour of production from dictators and people who violate human rights?
52 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:45:06 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, certainly the oil and gas sector in this country is an important part of this economy. It will continue to be an important part of this economy, but as I said to the previous questioner, the hon. member is simply incorrect. The last time crude oil was imported into Canada at the Irving Oil refinery was in 2019.
60 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:45:30 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, as long as we need oil and natural gas, we on this side of the House will always stand up for this Canadian energy sector. Over the past 20 years, Canadians have purchased $13 billion worth of Russian oil from Putin. I am sorry, but we do not need that. Meanwhile, the government's goal is to slowly eliminate Canada's energy potential. Why, with its ideologically narrow-minded and closed-off attitude, is the government once again putting us in a position where we have to defend Canadian energy?
93 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:46:11 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada is one of the best countries for businesses. Under our government, oil imports have consistently declined, having reached their lowest level in 10 years. This is certainly an important issue, and we are working with our partners in Europe and the United States to ensure energy security.
50 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:46:41 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, today's IPCC report is a dire warning about the consequences of empty Liberal promises. The brief window to ensure a livable future is rapidly closing. While Canadians are scared about the future, the Prime Minister is sticking his head in the sand. He is ignoring the science, handing out billions to big oil and gas and buying pipelines to fight the climate crisis. Canada has missed every single climate target. We have the worst record of any G7 country. We are in a climate emergency. When is the government going to start acting like it?
98 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:47:18 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the IPCC report shows what people around the world already know: that countries need to take bold action to tackle climate change and adapt actions to fight climate change. We must cut our emissions and build resiliency through our society. Canadians cannot afford another term of Conservative inaction on this file. Since we took office in 2015, our government has committed more than $100 billion to climate action, and we are now developing Canada's first-ever national adaptation strategy.
82 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:47:57 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the planet cannot afford the current environment minister. I encourage him to actually read the IPCC report, which has been described as “an atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership”. There we have exhibit one. The government held 6,800 backroom meetings with big oil. It left taxpayers on the hook for a $21-billion pipeline. It has given heavy subsidies to the oil industry, which is now talking about massive increases in production. The planet is on fire. Why is the minister letting the big oil lobby lead him around by the nose when he should be standing up for Canadians and standing up for the planet?
117 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:48:38 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that through carbon pricing we went all the way to the Supreme Court against four provinces, including his province and my own, to fight to ensure we could use one of the best tools to fight climate change, which is carbon pricing. We are still unfortunately fighting in the courts against some provinces to continue to be able to fight for Canadians and for the health of our children and grandchildren when it comes to climate change.
85 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:49:13 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Many business owners from my riding of Ottawa South had to close their downtown establishments in the face of the illegal blockades. The occupation carried on for more than 20 days, and the cost to local businesses was simply staggering. Could the minister please update the House on what measures the government is taking to help these very hard-hit small businesses?
80 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:49:46 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, on February 19, 2022, I announced the Government of Canada would make an investment of up to $20 million to provide non-repayable contributions to Ottawa businesses that had suffered financial loss due to the illegal blockades. This announcement reinforces our government's commitment to helping communities, families and businesses build a strong and resilient economic recovery. We continue to work to ensure businesses affected get the supports they need.
72 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Feb/28/22 2:50:20 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Coutts, Emerson and Windsor borders were cleared before the Prime Minister invoked the Emergencies Act. It was not required for demonstrators to leave Ottawa either. Security and financial experts say there were no real threats to Canada and no suspicious financial activity. A lawyer who actually helped draft the act said it was unnecessary, that the burden of proof was not convincingly met and that there was “no evidence” of a threat to the security of Canada. What changed between the Prime Minister supporting it on Monday night and revoking it on Wednesday?
98 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border